Hard Rock Cafe Maldives celebrates Founders’ Day this June 14 by joining the brand’s annual World Burger Tour. This global competition spotlights local flavors through bold new burger creations. The limited-time lineup includes unique recipes from Hard Rock Cafe chefs around the world. This year, the Maldives serves up a spicy, tropical twist.
What is the World Burger Tour?
Launched each year on Hard Rock International’s Founders’ Day, the World Burger Tour invites chefs across the brand to craft one-of-a-kind burgers that reflect the culinary identity of their region. From June 14 through August 5, select Hard Rock Cafes worldwide will feature these limited-edition creations.
Each burger tells a local story. Guests can try the Lasagna Burger with Ragu Bolognese and béchamel in Rome or the Jersey Shore Burger in Atlantic City, which comes with blueberry maple aioli and provolone. In the Maldives, it’s all about heat, coconut, and island flair.
A Maldivian Burger with Global Flavor
Chef Nikhil Gopinathan at Hard Rock Cafe Maldives designed the Island Spiced Coconut & Curry Burger to represent the Maldives in this year’s competition. Packed with bold tropical flavors and layered textures, the burger draws inspiration from the richness of local spices and ingredients.
Here’s what’s in it:
- Two smashed and stacked beef patties, seasoned and seared to medium-well
- Homemade curry mayo and provolone cheese
- Fresh arugula, cucumber, and tomato
- Chimichurri cheese sauce and toasted coconut flakes
- A crispy topping of shredded fried potato tossed with Chef Nikhil’s own Island Curry Powder
The result is a burger that’s unmistakably Maldivian: tropical, spiced, and full of personality.
“This is such a fun annual event where our chef gets to flex his creativity, and our guests get to try our
new burger inspired by the vibrant culture of the Maldives for a limited time,” said Anna Melissa Olay, Manager at Hard Rock Cafe Maldives.
Olivia Tiedemann Joins as Judge and Mentor
Hard Rock welcomed Olivia Tiedemann, chef, content creator, and brand partner, to the 2024 World Burger Tour. This year, she is playing double duty: not just judging the entries but also mentoring the chefs behind them.
“Working with these talented chefs from around the world has been incredibly fun.” she said. “Each one brought such passion and creativity to their recipes, and I’m amazed by how they’ve transformed classic burger concepts with their unique local influences and personal stories.“
What’s Next and Where to Try It
Guest votes and burger sales will determine the top five standout creations in this year’s World Burger Tour. The competition will announce the finalists later this summer. Those five burgers will then be served at Hard Rock Cafes worldwide for a final tasting round before selecting one global winner.
For those in the Maldives, Hard Rock Cafe Maldives at The Marina at CROSSROADS offers the Island Spiced Coconut & Curry Burger exclusively through August 5. Whether you’re after bold fusion flavors or just curious to try something inspired by local island ingredients, now’s the time to grab a bite of this limited-edition creation.
